Apply the 36 Stratagems for Success

Day 1: Initial Assessment and Planning

1. Deceive the heavens to cross the ocean: Keep your true strategic plans hidden while conducting an initial assessment of the hotel’s strengths and weaknesses.
2. Observe the fire from the other side of the river: Stay neutral and observe the market and competitors without making immediate moves.

Day 2: Staff Management and Training

3. Hide a knife behind a smile: Maintain a friendly and supportive environment while subtly implementing new training programs.
4. Sacrifice the plum tree to preserve the peach tree: Invest in training a few key staff members who can then train others, saving resources.

Day 3: Guest Experience Enhancement

5. Create something from nothing: Promote new services or amenities that don’t require significant investment but create a buzz.
6. Loot a burning house: Take advantage of any negative reviews or feedback to make immediate improvements and turn things around.

Day 4: Marketing and Promotion

7. Make a sound in the east, then strike in the west: Create a marketing campaign in one area to divert attention while launching a major promotion in another.
8. Borrow a road to conquer Guo: Use partnerships with local businesses or influencers to attract more guests.

Day 5: Financial Management

9. Remove the firewood from under the pot: Cut unnecessary expenses to improve the hotel’s financial health.
10. Disturb the water and catch a fish: Introduce small changes to the pricing strategy to see how the market reacts before making larger adjustments.

Day 6: Operational Efficiency

11. Slough off the cicada’s golden shell: Update the hotel’s branding and decor to give a fresh, modern look without a complete overhaul.
12. Shut the door to catch the thief: Implement stricter security measures to prevent theft and ensure guest safety.

Day 7: Crisis Management

13. Inflict injury on oneself to win the enemy’s trust: Admit to any mistakes openly and offer compensation to disgruntled guests to regain their trust.
14. Chain the enemy with golden shackles: Offer loyalty programs and incentives to keep guests returning.

Day 8: Innovation and Improvement

15. Replace the beams with rotten timbers: Identify and replace outdated practices or equipment with modern, efficient alternatives.
16. Point at the mulberry tree while cursing the locust tree: Criticize minor issues to address more significant underlying problems.

Day 9: Community Engagement

17. Befriend a distant state to attack one nearby: Form alliances with local businesses and community organizations to enhance the hotel’s reputation.
18. Borrow the road to conquer Guo: Use community events to attract more guests to the hotel.

Day 10: Sustainability Initiatives

19. Remove the firewood from under the pot: Implement eco-friendly practices to reduce costs and appeal to environmentally conscious guests.
20. Disturb the water and catch a fish: Introduce small sustainability initiatives to gauge guest reactions before rolling out larger programs.

Day 11: Technology Integration

21. Slough off the cicada’s golden shell: Update the hotel’s technology infrastructure to improve guest experiences and operational efficiency.
22. Shut the door to catch the thief: Implement advanced security systems to protect guest data and privacy.

Day 12: Staff Retention

23. Befriend a distant state to attack one nearby: Offer incentives to retain top-performing staff and prevent them from moving to competitors.
24. Borrow the road to conquer Guo: Use staff feedback to improve working conditions and job satisfaction.

Day 13: Guest Feedback and Improvement

25. Replace the beams with rotten timbers: Act on guest feedback to make necessary improvements and enhance their experience.
26. Point at the mulberry tree while cursing the locust tree: Address minor complaints to show guests that their concerns are taken seriously.

Day 14: Competitive Analysis

27. Feign madness but keep your balance: Act unpredictably in marketing campaigns to keep competitors on their toes.
28. Remove the ladder after the enemy ascends to the roof: Introduce new services or amenities that competitors haven’t yet considered.

Day 15: Financial Review and Adjustment

29. Deck the tree with false blossoms: Create the illusion of financial stability while making necessary adjustments behind the scenes.
30. Make the host and the guest exchange places: Reverse roles by involving guests in decision-making processes to gain their insights.

Day 16: Crisis Management

31. The beauty trap (Honeypot): Use attractive offers to lure guests during off-peak seasons.
32. The empty fort strategy: Show confidence in handling crises to reassure guests and staff.

Day 17: Innovation and Improvement

33. Let the enemy’s own spy sow discord in the enemy camp: Use competitor’s strategies to your advantage by learning from their mistakes.
34. Inflict injury on oneself to win the enemy’s trust: Show vulnerability to gain trust and loyalty from guests and staff.

Day 18: Sustainability Initiatives

35. Chain the enemy with golden shackles: Offer attractive sustainability programs to engage guests and staff.
36. If all else fails, retreat: If a strategy isn’t working, be willing to pivot and try a different approach.